Twist and Turn

The homographs and homonyms of English make our language fun.
I am a word, and if you see me, friends around me being none,
Potentially your understanding's something that I might impair.
You may just be inclined to think I am a movement of the air.

And if you hear my name pronounced, you could believe someone complained;
But when you see my yesterday, it's possible you'll think of pain.
However, I am none of those; my meaning is to turn or twist.
So do you know my name? It shouldn't take a rocket scientist!

Answer

The verb "wind" -- as in, "to wind a clock."

If you see the word "wind" without any friends (that is, the word itself, without any context), you could easily think it is the noun "wind" as in "windy weather."

If you hear the word "wind," you might hear it as the past tense verb "whined."

If you see its yesterday (its past tense, "wound"), you could think it is the noun "wound," meaning an injury.Hide